Luke’s Gospel: Loss

Hate is a most unprofitable emotion. Seldom does it lead to benefits either for the individual or the company.

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Ledgers are known to have two sides, one column for profits and one for losses.
As our consideration of the Parable of the Talents continues, we must look to the losses column. Remember this key factor: in the parable, some of those trusted with considerable funds to invest hated their employer. Hate is a most unprofitable emotion. Seldom does it lead to benefits either for the individual or the company. Such was certainly the case with this nobleman-turned-king and those he entrusted with both work to do and the means to do that work. His last words of instruction were these: “Do business till I come.”

Excuses, Excuses
The hate-driven servant put on his best false-face (as if his master could not tell the difference!) and bowed deeply before his boss. He justified his non-profit report with flattery, thinly veiled accusations of corruption. “…I feared you because you are an austere man. You collect what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.” 

This hateful man had the nerve to plead his case for laziness based on the reputation of his master. His stupidity reached a whole new level of lame. The boss was neither flattered nor indicted—He was angry. He knew the truth: this unprofitable servant hid the money he was supposed to invest in a cloth-like discarded tableware. All he had to present to the nobleman was the original sum, nothing less but certainly nothing more.

Final Accounting
Fundamentally unimpressed by everything the servant said and did—attitude, excuses, laziness, stupidity—the nobleman took the man’s one talent, (perhaps 3000 shekels of silver!) and gave it to the servant who had ten times that much. His words were as devastating to the servant as was this divestment of funds. “You knew that I was an austere man, collecting what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow.”

All the snark and snivel drained from the servant’s face. Perhaps he actually thought the safety of the funds was the master’s true goal. Amazing! He should have known the Master was more interested in the increase of his holdings than the safety of his funds. The question had to be put: “Why then did you not put my money in the bank, that at my coming I might have collected it with interest?

As further justice, the newly crowned king ordered the execution of all the rebels.

“Well done, good and faithful servant…”
The lesson of this parable should be more than clear. God has given each of us work to do and resources to use in the doing of it. There will be an accounting before the face of Jesus someday. “…to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him…” Imagine, after the judgment of our works, hearing Jesus say, “Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter in…”

Our lives are not a parable; they are real. We have been entrusted with assets from which the Kingdom of God is built. The King is coming back! Today, we must hear his words to us— “Do business till I come.”

Scriptures:
Luke: 19:20-27 NKJV
“Then another came, saying, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I have kept put away in a handkerchief. For I feared you because you are an austere man. You collect what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ And he said to him, ‘Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant. You knew that I was an austere man, collecting what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow. Why then did you not put my money in the bank, that at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’ “And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to him who has ten minas.’ (But they said to him, ‘Master, he has ten minas.’) ‘For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. But bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before me.'”

Revelation 22:12-13 NKJV
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your investment in my life. I will serve You because I love You and not because I fear You as heathen folk fear their hostile little gods. I know You are good and merciful. If You have given me work to do, I know I can do it with Your help! I will serve You out of love, confidence, and faith in you. My highest goal and the dream of my heart is to hear You call my name and say, “Well done!” This will be the moment that births my eternity. Today I will do business for You. Amen.

Song:
I Will Serve Thee
Words and Music: Bill and Gloria Gaither
I will serve thee because I love thee
You have given life to me
I was nothing before you found me
You have given life to me
Heartaches, broken pieces
Ruined lives are why you died on Calvary
Your touch was what I longed for
You have given life to me.
I will serve thee because I love thee
You have given life to me
I was nothing before you found me
You have given life to me


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About the Author

Full of passion for Jesus Christ, Stephen Phifer is a third-generation minister with more than three decades of experience as a pastoral artist, worship leader, and conductor.